Executive leaders hard to find

Attracting top talent from overseas is positive for the New Zealand economy.

KEY POINTS:

• Search goes global for top-flight talent to fill c-suite positions in New Zealand

Kiwi companies are selling themselves on the world stage to attract international candidates for top executive positions. Oliver Hawkley, a partner at Auckland-based executive search and leadership consultancy Kerridge & Partners, says a desire for candidates with global experience is driving some top Kiwi companies to look overseas when filling "c-suite" positions such as CEO, CFO or CIO roles.

"Strong, very capable executive leaders are very difficult to identify, whether it's within New Zealand or elsewhere in the world," Hawkley says. "People underestimate how hard it is to be an executive-level leader and the pressures that entails, and how few and far between that talent is.

"Companies in New Zealand love to be able to tell that story of attracting back a Kiwi who has gone offshore and gained global knowledge and insights, who has worked in different environments and can bring that learning back to New Zealand.

"Being able to attract top talent from overseas, whether it's a returning Kiwi or an international, is really positive for the New Zealand economy. As a nation we want to have our brightest people return and contribute to New Zealand."

A global executive search may take up to 100 days, and Hawkley can have a number underway at any one time. Salary packages for top-level executives are comparative across global markets, so it's the other aspects of life in New Zealand that attract offshore candidates.

Hawkley says one of the big factors is this country's economic and political stability - cast into an even more favourable light due to recent events in the UK, Europe and the US. "It's known for having a great lifestyle but it's not just that. You can have a great lifestyle and work for a global business, and your family can enjoy a safe, stable political and economic environment.

"Some of the global oil or mining companies in the world, for example, have to send their executives to far-flung corners of the planet where the education system or the environment is not as attractive for families."

There are also the more intangible aspects, which Hawkley says can be hard to articulate to those unfamiliar with "the Kiwi way".

"New Zealanders coming back understand it. With Kiwis who are wanting to return, they know what they're coming back to and what they're buying back into - the Kiwi approach to problem-solving, to business, how they communicate within the work environment. It's one of the hidden benefits that expats find when they come here, something you can't really see from the outside.

"New Zealand is a bit of an easier business environment to what you may find in the UK, for example. People value their life outside of work very highly, and that leads to more openness in the workplace."

Hawkley says there's also still the Lord of the Rings and All Blacks factor, making New Zealand an intriguing and appealing option.

"International executives get approached regularly by head-hunters and executive search consultants, but when they get approached by New Zealand companies, it's something a bit different. The idea of New Zealand makes people prick up their ears.

"But from a business perspective, I don't think we can underestimate the great position our economy is in at the moment, compared to other places, and how stable our political environment is as well. "

Hawkley says we also shouldn't underestimate the "marketing" value of overseas-based Kiwis, people doing well in international environments, in terms of attracting top overseas candidates to come here.

"A group of people can create a huge amount of collective goodwill towards a country through business interactions offshore. New Zealanders who are successful offshore will bring [back] with them people from other countries who become interested in working here because they see great people coming out of that country and achieving great things offshore. We don't look at the long-term benefits of talent going offshore if we simply label it a brain drain - it's not. We need to think of the benefits to New Zealand of Kiwis offshore doing great things in international markets, taking our message to the world."

Hawkley says global candidates - whether they are Kiwis working internationally, or foreign executives - have much to offer New Zealand companies.

"They bring a wider lens on the business world - different strategies, different approaches to problems."

However, for a senior executive to make the move Downunder, it has to be not just the right job, but the right time - for them, and for their family, Hawkley says.

Because opportunities at the top of the executive pyramid don't come up that often, Hawkley's advice to overseas Kiwis looking to return is to start the process early.

"It can take a long time to execute that journey home. If you're thinking of coming back, you need to start building your networks early. Those people who do get on the plane and network face-to-face here in New Zealand will have greater success.

"Also, remember that the first role you get may not be the end game. You've got to have a long-term view and get back into the scene here. Start building a network, demonstrate achievements and start building your brand back in New Zealand."